Tata Tigor has made way for the new Aeris in Tata Motors’ private passenger vehicle line-up; but the compact sedan is not going away. Tata Motors will continue the Tigor-based Xpres as a fleet-oriented model but now differentiate the cars for commercial operators from those for private customers. With the new model, the Aeris will be available to consumers and the Xpres for fleet operators.
The move comes as Tata Motors looks to strengthen its position in the sub-4-metre sedan segment while giving its private customers a product that is separated from the commercial taxi market. Tata Motors estimates fleet operators account for about 35 per cent of the buyers in the sub-4-metre sedan category and private customers are only 65 per cent. The company believes by taking these two customer groups apart, the Aeris can come out in the personal car market with a more distinct identity.
Tata Tigor Continues In Xpres Form For Fleet Operators
The Xpres was first introduced in India in 2021 as an electric vehicle for fleet customers. Tata Motors later extended the range to petrol and CNG powertrain options, so that commercial owners could choose from various fuel technologies.
The petrol-powered Tata Xpres is priced at Rs 5.74 lakh ex-showroom while the CNG version is 6.79 lakh ex-showroom. Both models are based on Tigor which has now been replaced by the Aeris in the private-car line-up of Tata Motors.
This can ensure that Tata Motors is able to maintain the Tigor’s presence in the commercial compact sedan market with the new Aeris that is intended for private customers and fleet operators. The company is effectively creating separate identities for its two customer groups.
Tata Xpres Petrol Gets 1.2-Litre Engine
The petrol-powered Xpres is powered by Tata Motors' 1.2-litre Revotron naturally aspirated petrol engine, which makes 85 bhp and 113 Nm of peak torque and has a five-speed manual gearbox. The mechanical setup is similar to the petrol powertrain provided with the Aeris.
For customers who want another alternative fuel option, the Xpres CNG has 74 bhp and 95 Nm. Tata’s twin-cylinder CNG setup, with 70-litre CNG tanks sitting in the boot area. The commercial sedan also rides on 14-inch wheels.
The Xpres range is therefore much more geared towards practicality and operating demands than premium equipment. This is particularly so for fleet customers, in which purchase price, running cost, fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance are more important than convenience.
Xpres Cabin Keeps Features To A Minimum
The interior of the Tata Xpres is intentionally simpler than a typical private passenger car. While it gets a dual-tone cabin, the fleet-oriented sedan doesn’t have an audio system or infotainment screen. It also neglects features like rear air-conditioning vents and Type-C charging ports.
The rather basic cabin reflects the intended use of the Xpres. Fleet operators need vehicles that can withstand frequent usage while keeping acquisition and running costs under control. At the same time, the Aeris is more suited to private customers who prioritize technology, comfort and convenience features.
Tata Motors is not alone in maintaining separate strategies for commercial and private customers. Hyundai, Toyota and Maruti Suzuki also offer fleet-oriented versions of their passenger cars. But in some of those cases, the same underlying models are available to commercial and private buyers, with private versions offering more features and equipment.
Why Tata Is Separating Aeris And Xpres
Tata Motors’ strategy with the Aeris and Xpres highlights the different requirements of private and commercial buyers in India’s compact sedan market. The company wants the Aeris to remain a private-focused product, while the Tigor-based Xpres continues to serve fleet operators.
For private buyers, this means the new Aeris will not be offered as a yellow-plate fleet vehicle. Meanwhile, fleet operators will have access to a familiar compact sedan platform through the Xpres range, including petrol, CNG and electric powertrain choices.
The strategy could also help Tata Motors to stay in the commercial compact sedan market and not interfere with the positioning of its new private-buyer product. With fleet customers constituting a large portion of the market, having a dedicated commercial model is something Tata Motors is better suited to do to address both markets while still keeping their identities separate.
The Tata Tigor may be absent from the Tata Motors’ private passenger vehicle range but its platform and name are still relevant in the commercial market with the Xpres. The Aeris is now Tata’s compact sedan for private buyers.
